Villa Rides! The Battle of Conejos (1916)

 Introduction

Pancho Villa’s forces are advancing toward Torreon, a strategic stronghold held by the Federale Army. Control of Torreon is crucial to Villa’s campaign, making it essential to seize the city. This semi-historical scenario, inspired by the 1968 movie Villa Rides!, represents Last Stand Dan’s rendition of the "Battle of Conejos" along the Nazas River. Tasked with capturing this heavily fortified position, Villa’s troops face a battle that could make or break his campaign against the Federales.

Join us for this bloody but entertaining “Hollywood” reimagining of the famous battle from the movie. We used the late Larry Brom’s rules, The Sword and the Flame, modified for the Mexican Revolution. The game was played on a 6x8 table and accommodates up to 8 players

.So this battle has been played at Hurricon 2024 and the CSGA down in the Springs. It is being put on one more time this year at our Vet Wars event at CMH in Denver. The weather is not cooperating so hopefully the snow slows down by Sunday. 

The Battle

Both battles so far have drawn 8 to 10 players, with everyone enjoying their roles as either Federale defenders or Villista attackers. I’d seen Villa Rides! years ago and always wanted to bring this battle to the tabletop. Creating the terrain was a rewarding process, with fantastic contributions from friends at Bill at Bill’s Gamer Garage, Bud at Bud's Blast Markers, Dwight at Dr. Jones Terrain, and Al at Askari Miniatures.

The scenario included special rules for each battle stage, with missions and objectives for all players. Both sides had plenty of cavalry for rapid maneuvers, Federales entrenched with artillery, and Villistas awaiting promised artillery support from reluctant allied generals—a nod to the historical tensions.

For the Hollywood touch, we brought in Robert Mitchum’s character as a gun runner in his Jenny, aiding Villa from the skies. Villa's forces launched a frontal assault from Palacio Gomez, across the Nazas River, aiming to capture this gateway to Torreon. After studying maps to locate where this “could” have taken place, I created my own interpretation of the battle’s setting.

The Terrain

The movie Villa Rides! was filmed in Spain, in the movie the town and bridge were even more massive than depicted here. But as gamers, we all understand the need to scale things down for the table. I’ll go into more detail in a future blog post, but for now, I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

And for those who have already played in this scenario—Gracias Amigos!

Last Stand Dan

Overall View of the completed battlefield. The Federale position at Conejos on the left bank and the Villistas attacking from the right bank.

And what's a revolution with Mariachi's!

View from the Federale left flank. Another good view of the bridge made from blue foam.

Villistas crossing the Nazas. You can see the bridge joint. I built it in two sections to be able to box it up for transport. 

Villa forces moving forward. 

The town buildings were made by Dr. Dwight Jones. He makes some good stuff! 

The Villistas assaulting across the bridge!

You can see the Federale Colorados waiting to be released!

Federale Militia were holding the entrance to Conejos. There morale was questionable but I won't mention a special rule for them since the battle is to be played one more time this snowy weekend here in Denver. 

On the Fed right flank more cavalry waits to be released with support of a couple of guns from this right flank emplacement and from the town walls. 

Villista cavalry on the move!

Family Play test #1. We had a great time. 

The river was only a foot deep but still slowed down movement. A couple of small sand bars gave a little more fire from the murderous Federale guns and mauser rifles.

Here is a shot with the infamous Capt. Lucas playing in the battle at Hurricon 2024, Orlando.

We had a great crowd in Florida, Sgt. Guinness on the right. 

Making decisions...

Cavalry getting into action.

A nice view of the Town. I will go through some of the build in a following blog.

More Colorados on the move!

The Villistas were able to get some artillery support in the way of some nice French 75's made my Askari Miniatures. 

And who remembers Robert Mitchim in his Jenny at the end of the movie? Everyone was taking pot shots trying to alter his dynamite drops. 

The open terrain the bridge assault had to cross. 

A Fed Krupp Gun firing from the wall. There one on each side of the town.

The Villistas were able to get more guns into action (if they rolled well that is!).

Air attack on the trench and barbwire. 

This shot was staged. The Villistas were able to roll for three available guns. But you didn't know which of the 4 commanders would get one each turn. 

The bridge assaulters could get cover from the bridge when fired from the flanks. 

We had plenty of Villa troops to do the job.

With Mariachis and Villa pumping up their morale the bridge assault was in full swing.

Federale Gun in action on one of the flanks. 

The infamous Red Colorados flag. 

Battle Along the Tigris (WWI Mesopotamia)

Introduction

As British Allied forces advance up the Tigris, a large Turkish outpost controlling a key section of the river must be destroyed. The gunboat Firefly moves steadily up the Tigris, covering the left flank of the assault with long-range gunfire. British forces attack in waves, with reconnaissance patrols probing for a path to bypass or break through the Turkish lines.

We used modified rules from The Men Who Would Be King (TMWWBK) to fit this conflict. The game was played on a 6x8 table with up to 7 or 8 players and has already been played at our club in Colorado Springs (CSGA), Colorado Military Historians (CMH) in Denver and at Hurricon 2024 in Orlando. 

I'm already developing the next battle in this Mesopotamian campaign for 2025, where several British gunboats will attempt to navigate past heavy Turkish shore batteries—a scenario that promises some exciting challenges ahead.

The Battle

Reading Churchill’s War in the Garden of Eden inspired me to build out this scenario, reflecting typical engagements during the British reconquest up the Tigris in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq).

The Turkish forces were largely entrenched on the board, positioned in trenches, atop buildings, and with hidden reserves inside structures. As British firepower took its toll, these reserves reinforced the trench line. The Turks had three main guns, three heavy machine guns, and a 1-pounder "Pom Pom" for anti-aircraft defense. When aircraft made attack runs, all units, along with the Pom Pom, had a chance to counter, adding a die to try and damage the aircraft. In both games, the aircraft was ultimately downed, crashing into the trench line and adding to Turkish casualties—an entertaining highlight!

The British brought Indian and Gurkha allies, along with armored cars, aircraft, and a Fly-class gunboat. Both games featured intense action, with the Turkish forces initially inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing Allies. However, as gaps formed in the Turkish lines, the British began to penetrate and overrun the defenses. Players on both sides had a fantastic time, with hard-fought victories adding to the excitement.

The Terrain

For the first battle, I used a Home Depot drop cloth as the terrain mat. By the second battle, a few months later, I created a new mat with caulking, sand, and paint to make it both mobile and quick to set up—ideal for transporting to various venues.

Most of the terrain features, like trenches, palm trees, and barbed wire, were crafted by Bill Daniel from Bill’s Gamer Garage, known for his high-quality terrain pieces. The lighted blast markers were provided by my cousin, Bud Vidales of Bud’s Blast Markers. Look out for more updates on his new releases, available now at budsblastmarkers.com.

Fly Class Gunboat

Regarding the gunboat model, several gamers have expressed interest in purchasing it. I'll be building three hulls at my Last Stand Boatyard, and they’ll soon be available on my website for anyone interested. Keep an eye out for updates if you’re looking to add this piece to your own collection!

Thanks!

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who follows my blogs—I truly appreciate your support! Enjoy the pictures, and if you have any questions about rules modifications, figures, terrain, or anything else, feel free to reach out. Happy gaming!

The scenario setup. A strip of the Tigris on the left flank.

The heavily defended Turkish outpost along the river bank.

The British/Indian left flank. In the first games I used a Sopwith Camel but later changed to a proper Bristol F.2. 

The Turks had three HMGs between the trenches which in both battles played laid down some vicious fire.

A good view of the layout. The British force consisted of Sikhs, Gurkhas, Australians and of course Brits. 

The British attack on the Turkish trenches. Notice the removal of the barbed wire by heavy fire from the Firefly Gunboat and aerial bombardment.

The aircraft support rained down some very effective bomb and strafing runs.

The Gurkhas made it the trench line and with some heavy melee took the trenches with what troops they had left.

The cavalry breakthrough supported by Rolls Royce Armored cars.

Airplane taking Anti-Aircraft fire before its attack run.

Always try and have everyone engaged. Heavy fighting all along the trench line. The Turks had a full unit in the town that were allowed to replace fallen Turks in the trenches. This made them pretty tough.

The Firefly, a Fly Class Gunboat slowly made its way up in support of the ground troops. There were two Turkish guns engaging the Gunboat every turn. 

The Fly Class Gunboat scratch built by Last Stand Dan Boatyard.

Nice view of the combined arms attack, armored car, cavalry, aircraft and a gunboat!

Battle in full swing!

Left Flank

Another view from the Firefly!

Another strafing run.